Arizona weekly citizen., 1887-01-01
SCENIC ARTISTS.
WHAT MAY BE SEEN IN THE PAINT
 ROOM OF A THEATRE.

cr.at Advance Made in Scene Painting
 fin the Past Ten Yesrs-NOt a Drop of
 oil Used-"Taking Up a Scene "-Sew
 Ideas to the Front.
 Can tell you anything new about scenic artists and scene paintincT echoed prom nent member of that most important ana essential order of persons whose work rs o necessary to the success of any theatrical pro duction, in response tO Q question put Co hinl by n reporter. The scene, the paint room of A popular theatre. The artist was buSlly en- Oace,i in painting handsome stained glnss transom in a drawing room set to be uset m the play to be presented shortly
 -Well," continued the artist as he deftly ap- piled the necessary eolors, you know there's an oli saying that there's nothing new under the sun, but perhaps l may be able to give YOU something that hasn't become chest mt A grca. advance has been made m the art of scene painting in the past ten years. Ten years ago the people took scenic artists for ordinary house painters, and our work was not looked upon as an art, but now It is regarded in that light, and art critics are talk inr an interest in our efforts. The young QFftSf@ LtlE IlA>tlA AAltAG NA'iAA AAA conventional Ideas of the old artists of dozen years ago All the young men who were brought up by the old heals got their inspira- tion from them, and then improved upon their methods.
 Some people think that scenic artists are very ordinary individuals who know nothing about artistic work. This is an erroneous impression, as the majority of us arc as ac- |. N sl..f ~..tu .f oil nr color uainters. Of course there are all grades of scenic artists, ranging from the true artist who takes pride in what be does down to yiose who apply their brushes in a loose and haphazard manner, without regard to finish or attractiveness.
 DETAILS OF SCENE PAINTING.
 Ten years ago the scenic painters depended upon pure colors for effect, but now they paint tho s-enc and depend CIOn the value of the tints, the same as a lnndscaTc or marine artist Ii the newspapers, instead of saying that the management of a theatre deserved credit for the manner in which piece was mounted, would criticise the scenery, the art ist would feel that there was something tO to work for and apply himself more earnestly and carefully to his task. Many people who are not familiar with the details of scene painting imagine that the work is done in oil. Not a drop of oil Is used as, in the first place, it would be too expensive Then, again, it would be in greater danger from fire, and the scenes would bs so .iiTlcult to handle The only materials used by the artist are glue. water. alum, soap and the col0rS, the latter of which are of good quality.
 -The canvas to be painted k suspended by ropes, and can bc raised Or lowered sO that any portion of it will bc handy for the artist tO apply the cOlOrs. Tho palette consists of a solidly built table about six or eight feet long, of ordinary height, and mounted On rollers, SD that 1t can bc moved tO any part of the Iainter's bridge most convenient to the artist. The top of the table |, filled with gOod-sized tin plates, which contain the necessary colors In the center k a plate used for mixing up the required tints. The artist works rapidly. and produces striking and handsome effects with a few quick strokes of his brush. Close at hand or m the daylight the scenes present a coarse appearance, but when in use on the stage the brilliant light thrown upon them produces a SOftening and smooth effect
 TAXING UP A sCENEn
 A great deal of what k known as "faking up a scene k indulged in, especially where no intricate or elaborate scenery Is required and when the manager does not wish to go | tO any unnecessary expense For instance the back scene of parlor set with folding doors may be in Use one week, and the next | it will bo turned around and painted on the back to represent an archway Or an entrance to prison Nearly all the ordinary scenery used in theatre Is painted on the front end ha~b "s' i- 'l'''e '''asio 'r 5n da'''.l, .--
 A week or two before the opening of q play the scenic artist of a theatre receives what is known ns the scene plOts-miniature fac-sim- lies of the scenery required for the play-so that he may know just what k desired of him, and be nt once gocs ahead with his work, in order to have everything in readiness for the first night of the production. In eases of elaborate or spectacular productions he ire quently has several months given him in which tO do himself and the production full justice. Tho single item of scenery alone is quite an expense toa theatre, and at first class houses playing combinations run up into thousands of dollars in year.-Chicago Journal